Article carrying attachment for crutches



Fb. 16. 1943; H. G; s qu- ARTICLE CARRYING ATTACHMENT FOR CRUTCHES FiledFeb. 19. 1943 HENRY a. #5005 Patented Feb. 16, 1943 ARTICLE CARRYINGATTACHMENT FOR CRUTCHES Henry G. Hedden, Bay Pines, Fla.

Application February 19, 1942, Serial No. 431,574

3 Claims.

This invention relates to crutches and more particularly to an articlecarrying device for attachment thereto.

The object of the invention is to provide an article carrying device ofsimple and inexpensive construction that may be either permanentlyattached to the staff of a crutch or detachabl y mounted thereon andwhich will provide a pocket or receptacle for persons handicapped by theneed of using crutches in which to conveniently carry different kinds ofarticles.

A further object of the invention is to provide an article carryingattachment comprising a box or receptacle having an open top andprovided on one side thereof with a tapered attaching cleat adapted tofit between the converging rods of the staff of a crutch for wedgingengagement therewith.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve thisclass of devices so as to increase their utility, durability andefficiency.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and inwhich similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in allthe figures of the drawing:

Figure l is a front elevation, partly in section, showing the articlecarrying device in position on the staff of a crutch,

Figure 2 is a side elevation,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figurel, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device detached.

The improved article carrying device forming the subject-matter of theinvention is principally designed for attachment to crutches and thelike, and in Figure l of the drawing is shown in connection with acrutch of standard construction, in which 5 indicates the spacedconverging rods constituting the staff, 6 the cross piece at the upperend of the staff, 1 the ferrule and 8 the intermediate hand grip.

The device comprises a box or receptacle 9.

of any suitable size and shape and formed of Wood, metal, plasticmaterial or the like, said receptacle being preferably rectangular incross section and having its bottom [0 closed and its upper end open, asindicated at H. If desired, however, the top of the receptacle may beprovided with either a hinged or removable cover to protect the contentsof the receptacle. The rear wall l2 of the receptacle is fiat andprojecting laterally therefrom in spaced relation to the sides or upperand lower ends of said receptacle is a tapered cleat l3, the downwardlyconverging walls I4 of which are adapted to fit between and frictionallyengage the converging rods 5 constituting the staff of the crutch, asbest shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. The cleat I3 is provided withoverhanging retaining flanges l5 which bear against the rods 5 and serveto prevent accidental lateral movement of the receptacle with respect tothe staff of the crutch.

It will thus be seen that by positioning the wedge-shaped cleat I3between the rods of the 7 staff immediately below the intermediatehandle 8 and exerting a slight downward pressure thereon, the taperededges 14 of the cleat will be forced into wedging engagement with theconverging portions of the rods 5 and thus hold the receptacle inposition on the crutch. In order to remove the receptacle, it is merelynecessary to exert a slight upward push on said receptacle until thewedge-shaped cleat reaches a position approximately beneath theintermediate handle 8 when the cleat may be Withdrawn laterally frombetween the rods 5 thereby permitting convenient removal of thereceptacle.

It will here be noted that, inasmuch as the cleat is wedge-shaped andhas sliding engagement with the converging rods of the clutch, the

weight of the articles carried in the box or receptacle 9 will assist inholding the cleat in wedging engagement with said rods.

It will, of course, be understood that the carrying device may be eitherpermanently secured to the crutch or detachably mounted thereon, themain purpose of the invention being to provide a convenient means forcarrying various kinds of articles by persons handicapped by the need ofusing crutches.

It will further be understood that said carrying devices may be made indifferent sizes and shapes and constructed of any suitable materialwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An article carrying attachment for crutches comprising a box-likereceptacle having a closed bottom and open top, and means carried by thereceptacle for detachably securing said receptacle in position on acrutch staff.

2. An article carrying attachment for crutches comprising a box-likereceptacle having a closed bottom and open top, and a downwardly taperedattaching member secured to one of the Walls of said receptacle andadapted to fit between the converging rods of a crutch staff for wedgingengagement therewith.

3. An article carrying attachment for crutches comprising a box-likereceptacle open at its top and including a rear wall, a wedge-shapedattaching member secured to said rear wall and provided with downwardlyconverging side edges adapted to fit between and frictionally engage thespaced rods of a crutch staff, and downwardly tapered retaining flangesformed on said attaching member and overhanging the converging edgesthereof for preventing lateral displacement of the receptacle withrespect to the 5 crutch.

HENRY G. HEDDEN.

